Building houses for people

Abstract

" ... shelter is part of daily human life and will come about wherever and whenever people will share space. Today, in a new age where so much more is possible, the professional plays a crucial role in that process. Yes, our participation is important." This thesis examines the role of the architect in practice, specifically the architect's relationship with the low income client in the design of their dwelling. In the process examined here, the architect is seen as just one of many participants in the design of affordable dwelling units. This role requires the architect to be multi-faceted. In addition to the traditional role as a designer, the architect must act as a consultant, a mediator, an advocate and a communicator of built form to non-professionals. "Experience and knowledge resides with lay people as much as with experts." In this thesis I have designed a method to allow users to design their own homes. The method includes the use of a personal interview and two model kits, as well as some two dimensional design representations. I have worked with eight individuals from the Five Streets neighborhood in Roxbury in a 1 N. J. Habraken, 'Who is Participating?", Taken from Tom Woolley, The Characteristics of Community Architecture and Community Technical Aid, p. 5. Henry Sanoff, Integrating Programming, Evaluation and Participation In Design, p. vII. dialogue of active participation which has resulted in the design of two dwelling supports. Each support can accommodate many variations in unit size and arrangement. At the same time, they satisfy the space and budget reqUirements of the sponsoring, government agency. The thesis documents this design process and shows the evolution of the two support designs. It also initiates a critique of participatory design methods and the techniques for design communication. The skills of the architect to communicate design ideas to the community is the key to successful participatory design. The architect, more than any other profeSSional, has the ability to use a variety of techniques to enable non-professionals of any income to visualize and synthesize a physical design. " ... the process should be clear, communicable and open. It should encourage dialogue, debate, and collaboration." It is my hope that the methods used for this particular project can be translated into other projects as well. Though the process would remain the same, each new design would reflect the individuals involved in the process.